This blog post is written Caroline Loveland, BIDMC Nutrition Volunteer

It’s not always easy to cook healthy, flavorful dishes at home throughout the week. And that’s especially true during the hectic nights of the holiday season. But don’t worry. Whether it’s a lack of time, ingredients or inspiration that’s holding you back, these simple tips and recipes will help you eat right and still enjoy the spirit of the season.

This blog post features Julie Ruane, Nurse Practitioner from the Division of Sports Medicine

Fall in New England is a great time to get outside and get active: leaves are changing colors, the air has a comfortable chill, and decorative gourds seem to smile in encouragement. But there’s a sinister side to the season too, lower temperatures can lead to muscle soreness, sprains and a variety of other injuries. So what’s a dedicated athlete to do? “Fall is the time to focus on injury prevention,” says Julie Ruane, Nurse Practitioner from the Division of Sports Medicine at BIDMC.

When it comes to healthy sleep habits, a lot of Americans have some catching up to do. In fact, recent data suggests that up to 40% of Americans get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Regular sleep deprivation can significantly affect your health, safety, and even your memory. With that in mind, here are a few things you can do to help make sure you’re getting the right amount of sleep.

On December 10, 2015, approximately 6:30 pm, I was on my daily bicycle commute home from work. The location was Brookline Ave, headed towards Washington St. I had passed Aspinwall St. on my right, the dog park/soccer field on my right. I needed to take a left turn at River Rd. I was in the right lane. I watched traffic (over my left shoulder) in the left lane, waiting for a break in traffic. I gave a quick left turn signal and moved into an opening in the left traffic lane.

Exciting news! The United Nations has deemed 2016 the International Year of Pulses. I know what you’re thinking: There’s an entire year dedicated to heartbeats?? Nope. Pulses are actually another name for dried seeds in the legume family like lentils, chickpeas and black beans — and boy do they deserve the spotlight. These healthy little morsels are packed with not only protein, but also fiber, vitamins and minerals. Including pulses in your diet can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and help control weight.

Summer is ending. Pumpkin spice has filled the air. And after experiencing one of the driest and hottest summers in Boston’s history, the transition to fall is a welcome relief. Well, not for everyone. If you’re part of the 10-30% of Americans with a ragweed allergy, fall can be a season of sneezing, sniffling and a whole lot of discomfort. Here’s what you should know:

Think about some of your goals. What are they? To lower your blood pressure? Get in better shape? Run a 5K? Whatever they are, setting goals can sometimes feel like the easy part. Following through and achieving success… that’s where the work comes in. So to make your goals a reality, we’ve got five tips to help turn your commitment into success!

The signs are all around us. Days are getting shorter, nights are taking on a familiar chill and shops are advertising the latest fall trends. Yup, the dog days of summer are turning into the start of the school year. So how can you make sure your family starts the year off right? Below are six tips to help you make the grade.

It isn’t always easy to make healthy choices while on vacation — there are buffets, wonderful flavors of ice cream, unique culinary specialties and did we mention the ice cream? But vacation shouldn’t be a free pass for indulgence. By taking your healthy habits on the road, you’ll feel better, have more energy and be well-positioned to ride the post-vacation wave for weeks and months to come. With that in mind, here are seven helpful tips to chew over before taking your next trip.